Obituary of Eugene Leo McLeer

Deacon Eugene Leo McLeer, Sr. Deacon Eugene Leo McLeer, age 91, passed away peacefully at home on May 12, 2015. Gene was born November 25, 1923 to Eugene Joseph and Catharine (nee Murphy) McLeer in Philadelphia, PA. He attended Overbrook High School and St. Joseph College of Philadelphia, PA. He graduated from the American Institute of Laundry in Joilet, IL and the NCA School of Dry Cleaning in NY, NY. Gene was a US Navy WWII veteran serving in the South Pacific on the Aircraft Carrier USS Monterey (CVL-26). He was in the active US Naval Reserve from 1945-1955. Gene spent most of his life in the laundry and dry cleaning industry as a plant owner and with allied trades. At his retirement, he was Vice President and General Manager of Miraclean/London Manufacturing Company. Gene was ordained a Permanent Deacon on October 4, 1976 and was part of the first Diaconate Class for the Camden Diocese. He was instrumental in the establishment of Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church on Greentree Road in Glassboro, NJ. He served in various parishes: Our Lady of Lourdes in Glassboro, Our Lady Queen of Peace in Pitman, and Saints Peter and Paul in Turnersville. Gene was a life member of Knights of Columbus Assumption Council #3397 and Bishop Eustice Assembly 4th Degree, Past Grand Knight and Former District Deputy. Gene is survived by his wife of seventy years Elizabeth "May" (nee Mattison), his brother Joseph "Joe" and his nine children: Peggy Zycinsky, Betty Devlin, Kay (Steve) Karwacki, Gene (Sue) McLeer, Patty (Butch) Beechler, Dottie McLeer, T.J. (Roxanne) McLeer, Bob (Kathy) McLeer and Greg (Kim) McLeer. He was predeceased by his brother Jack and his sons-in-law Bill Zycinsky, Jr. and Jim Devlin, Sr. Gene is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. Gene enjoyed traveling with his wife May and family, golfing, and going to the casinos. He always said that his greatest asset was his family, who will now miss him terribly and cherish all our memories with him. Family and friends may call on Friday 9-10:45 am at Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 500 Greentree Road, Glassboro, NJ, 08028. Funeral Mass 11AM. Internment Hillcrest Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund, Suite 122, N. Evergreen Ave., Woodbury, NJ, 08096. Memories may be shared at www.kelleyfhpitman.com.